SWNOVELS Chapter 333
Chapter 333
AXEL
I drive one of the Rathborn SUVS out to the territory line where vampires were reportedly spotted lurking around. This particular territory line happens to run along the edge of the road.
It's one of the few boundaries that gives way to human territory not claimed by another pack and acts as a kind of human buffer between wolf territory and vampire territory on the other side of the county.
Of course, humans have no idea they're basically a living barrier between two warring supernatural factions, and occasionally they do get caught in the crossfire.
It's one of the rare times wolves and vampires will work together-cleaning up messes made by rogue wolves or vampires, and covering up our existence from humans who would likely either hunt us or try to use us should our presence ever become public knowledge.
I find a contingent of Aaron's guards gathered and pull the SUV over to the side of the road to join them.
As soon as I get out, one of the senior pack members, William, comes to give me a report.
"The vampires are camped out another mile or so down this road," William tells me.
"Okay, let's go see what they're up to. Grab a few guys, but not all of them. We need a show of force, but not a big one that will goad them into acting."
William nods and then goes off to grab a couple of guys, while I climb back into the SUV.
A few minutes later, we're rolling down the road, and the group of vampires soon comes into view.
Like William said, they're camped out-literally.
They've got a couple of RVS and they're parked in one of those non-serviced picnic rest stops people use when they're traveling long distances.
This is the main road the pack uses to travel a lot of places—into the closest town, to the Council meetings, and to visit other packs.
From here, the vampires can monitor all of our comings and goings.
I pull up the SUV and as I'm climbing out, a couple of vampires walk from around the RVs.
One in particular steps forward, and I assume he's some kind of leader.
He's not that old, however. I can tell these are all lower-ranked vampires. The lackeys who do the bidding of the Elders.
"What's going on here?" I demand, crossing my arms.
I stop a few feet back from the edge of the road, which is technically the hard line of where Rathborn territory ends.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the Slayer," the lead vampire says with a smirk.
He's smirking, yeah, but I can smell his fear and false bravado from a hundred yards away.
I sense William and the other guys glancing at me.
I have no idea if Aaron told any of them who I really am, but it doesn't really matter at this point.
I have Aaron's trust and respect, and
a temporary place within the
Rathborn pack. It doesn't really
matter to me what Aaron's men and pack members think of me, as long as they respect me and follow my word to the letter.
"I'm only going to ask once more," I tell the vampire in a short voice. "What are you doing here?"
The vampire spreads his arms with a smug grin. "Isn't it obvious? We're camping."
"Wrong answer," I tell him, taking a menacing step forward.
I'm gratified when he immediately jerks back a step, but then he glances at the other vampires watching on, and I can tell he's both pissed and embarrassed that he showed his fear in front of them. I watch with amusement as he screws up some courage and edges forward again.
"Fine, if you want to know the truth, the Millennial Triad sent us to keep an eye on things," the vampire says, all self-important.
"Am I supposed to know who that is?" I scoff, unimpressed.
The vampire's eyes narrow, as if he's insulted, which is exactly what I was aiming for.
"The Millennia Triad are the ones who commissioned the Al tech from the Roberts pack," the vampire
explains in annoyance. "One daynet?
they will lead all vampires, and we will take our rightful place as the apex predator of all species."
Like I haven't heard this kind of bullshit before.
Every hundred years or so, some new group of wolves or vampires comes along and think they're the ones who are going to change it all. Make a difference-whatever the hell that means-as if no one else has even tried anything like it before.
All of them have failed.
And this Millennial Triad or whoever they are, won't be any different.
That, I can guarantee.
"Pack up your RVs and get gone. Tell your bosses that if I catch any more of their lackeys hanging around, I'll be sending them back in a box."
The lead vampire is not suitably threatened, but his buddies are smart enough to start easing back and looking for means of escape.
"We're not going anywhere. We have our orders. I only move when the Triad tells me to."
I idly stretch my arms, as if warming up for some exercise.
"Are you sure you don't want to rethink that stance?" I ask, my tone bored.
This vampire is going to prove zero challenge for me.
I calculate he'll be dead in less than a few seconds...